(Newser)
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A dramatic rescue operation yesterday brought all 12 crew members to safety when a cargo ship slammed into a breakwater off the coast of France and split in two. Two helicopters winched the men to safety amid rough seas and strong winds and the only injury was a broken nose, NBC reports. The 330-foot Spanish-flagged vessel was empty at the time of the crash, which happened after it suffered engine failure, reports the BBC.

Waves knock against the wreck of the Spanish cargo ship "Luno" that slammed into a jetty in choppy Atlantic Ocean waters and broke in two, off Anglet, southwestern France. (AP Photo/Bob Edme)

A sailor is lifted off by a military helicopter after a Spanish cargo ship that slammed into a jetty in choppy Atlantic Ocean waters off Anglet, southwestern France. (AP Photo/Bob Edme)

A military helicopter flies over a Spanish cargo ship "Luno" that slammed into a jetty in choppy Atlantic Ocean waters and broke in two, off Anglet, southwestern France. (AP Photo/Bob Edme)

A helicopter lowers a rescue worker toward a Spanish cargo ship the Luno that slammed into a jetty in choppy Atlantic Ocean waters off Anglet, southwestern France. (AP Photo/Bob Edme)

Waves knock against the wreck of the Spanish cargo ship "Luno" that slammed into a jetty in choppy Atlantic Ocean waters and broke in two, off Anglet, southwestern France. (AP Photo/Bob Edme)